The Story of Some English Shires. By Mandell Creighton, D.D.
(R.T.S. 6s.)—This is a second edition—the first was published in 1897—with the addition of a paper on Cambridgeshire. Bishop Creighton points out in his characteristic manner, a happy com- bination of accuracy and picturesqueness, the distinguishing features of the county. The University of Cambridge is one; Ely, with its ecclesiastical history, is the second ; the Fens are the third. It is strange to read that when the drainage plans of Cornelius Vermnyden were being put into operation by the Earl of Bedford and other Cambridgeshire landowners, Oliver Crom- well was one of the leaders of the popular opposition. The Fen people preferred their shooting and fishing, ague and all, to agriculture, and Cromwell gave voice to their discontent. But when power gave him responsibility he favoured the scheme. Vermnyden—his house may be seen at Fenny Drayton with the motto, Niet ponder Arbyt, on the porch—was ruined by his under- taking. Sic vos non vobis !
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